The 16-85 VR is listed as having a close focus distance of 14.9" at all focal lengths. I wonder what magnification ratio that would give you at the 85 mm end?

Meaning could it approach macro levels of magnification?

1.46 max reproduction ratio. Compare with a max reproduction ratio of 1.5 with the 17-55.

I probably would not get rid of the 17-55 yet. It's 3.5-5.6 max aperture, and I'm guessing that the lens length changes a fair bit with zooming, which may make it more difficult to house. What really interests me is the 24mm PC lens for landscape photography.

Hi Guys,
All hail the new D60...
But why ???
I'm a little confused...OK, a little more confused than normal...
But what is it for? Is it replacing the D40/D40X? Is it a completely new camera to fill
some perceived void in Nikon's line-up? Is it just a trial and error vendor to try out
Nikon's new imaging software and anti-vibration 'wind tunnel'?
Looking at the images of the new machine, there seems to be quite a few knobs and
wheels missing from the D80 level of camera, but does it have the internal auto focusing
motors that the D40 line-up is missing?
If it is the same size body as the D40/D40X, then it would/could be a very nice little unit
to take for a swim... in a housing of course...

The D60 will be the new D40x replacement. It has the same body and Mp count but adds some of the new features of the D300 line including dust mitigation, and live preview mode. One interesting twist is animation mode. I like taking video with my P&S so this will be an interesting alternative.

The major downside is the lack of a focus motor so like the D40x you are confined to AFS lenses. But if you are in the D60 category all you really need are the two kit lenses to take you from 18-200mm anyway. Now they have AFS and VR, so for most amature photographers this is a sweet setup.

For more serious amatures the D300 and D3 are a better choice.

I'm not ready to upgrade yet. I'm still holding out for an FX sensor in a D400. I'm hoping that with Sony entering the full-frame fray the price of larger sensors will come down.

Think about har far we have come since the days of the Coolpix 5000? For about the same price you can have a DSLR with 2 lenses? It makes it pretty hard for the small-sensor prosumer to compete.

This just in from Ran at PMA, he put the new D60 camera into our FD40X housing and the D60 fits right into into it like a hand in a glove. It is the exact same camera body and controls. This is great news and the housing is available TODAY.Here is the product release Fantasea Line Introduces the New FD-40X Housinghttp://www.fantasea....elease_done.asp

Of course you have them available for anyone who needs one.

To summarize, the new Nikon D60 camera is the exact same body and controls as the D40 and D40X and the Fantasea Line FD40X housing will work perfectly with this new DSLR.

HowardFantasea Line Fantasea Line housings, accessories and water sports cameras

Boy, I think you've got that right Dave, that's the best news I see in this list. The 24-85 is also intriguing.

A quick note for Craig Rauax concerning his comment about Nikon's newly announced 24mm tilt/shift lens. Nikon has never previously made a tilt/shift lens of any focal length. Nikon's previous lenses only made it to 28mm and were called PC (perspective control) Nikkors and provided only a shift movement for shootingarchitecture shots and keeping walls parallel. NO TILT. The tilt is excellent for changing the plane of focus to gain depth-of-field.